Russian life and society as seen in 1866-'67 : by Appleton and Longfellow, two young travellers from the United States of America, who had been officers in the Union army, and a journey to Russia with General Banks in 1869. With sketches of Alexander II. and Abraham Lincoln, and emancipation in the empire of Russia and the republic of the United States of America.

The book follows two young American veterans as they set out from New York in the autumn of 1866, first aboard a French steamer bound for Paris. Their crossing is filled with colorful fellow travelers—a seasoned Yankee trader, a flamboyant French actress, and a lively crew of Cubans—each adding flavor to the cramped decks. In Paris they linger in the bustling Hotel de la Paix, soaking up the city’s cafés and opera houses before turning eastward toward the Russian Empire.

Once in Russia the authors record everyday life under Tsar Alexander II with the eyes of former Union officers still attuned to questions of liberty. Their sketches compare the new freedoms granted to Russian serfs with the emancipation experiments in the United States, while brief portraits of Abraham Lincoln and the Tsar highlight the parallel hopes of two very different nations. The narrative blends personal anecdotes, social observation, and historical commentary, offering listeners a vivid portrait of a pivotal moment in 19th‑century Eurasian history.